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Summer is the perfect time to transform your backyard into an entertainment hub that brings friends and family together while getting everyone moving. Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, family reunion, or just looking for a fun weekend activity, backyard lawn games offer the perfect blend of social connection, gentle exercise, and outdoor enjoyment.
The beauty of lawn games lies in their accessibility. They’re suitable for all ages and fitness levels, require minimal setup, and can turn any outdoor space into a hub of laughter and friendly competition. Plus, spending time outdoors provides natural mood-boosting benefits while encouraging everyone to put down their devices and engage with each other.
Here are five fantastic backyard lawn games that will elevate your outdoor gatherings and keep everyone entertained for hours.
Kan Jam
We chose Kan Jam because it’s the perfect blend of skill and excitement that gets everyone instantly engaged. This is a fast-paced, team-based game that combines the precision of disc throwing with strategic gameplay. Two teams of two players each attempt to throw and deflect a flying disc into or onto their opponents’ can-shaped targets.
This deceptively simple game provides an excellent workout while being incredibly fun to play. The constant throwing motion engages your shoulders, arms, and core muscles, while the quick movements required to deflect discs provide cardiovascular benefits. Players often find themselves surprised by how much of a workout they get during what feels like casual play.
Health Benefits of Kan Jam
Upper body strength
Repeated disc throwing builds shoulder and arm strength.
Hand-eye coordination
Precise throwing and deflecting improves motor skills.
Cardiovascular fitness
Quick movements and constant play elevate heart rate.
Social connection
Team-based gameplay encourages communication and bonding.
Stress relief
The satisfying clang of hitting the target provides instant gratification.
The game is perfect for players of all skill levels, as beginners can focus on simply hitting the target while advanced players can work on precision shots and strategic deflections.
Kan Jam is super fun and a popular competitive team game similar to cornhole, washer toss and horseshoes.
Ladder Toss
The reason we love ladder toss is its incredible inclusivity, it’s one of those rare games where grandparents can genuinely compete with teenagers. Also known as ladder ball or ladder golf, this game involves throwing bolo-style balls (two balls connected by a rope) onto a three-rung ladder structure. Different rungs are worth different points, adding a strategic element to the throwing game.
Ladder toss is particularly great for developing throwing accuracy and provides a gentle full-body workout. The underhand tossing motion engages your core and legs for stability while working your arms and shoulders. It’s an excellent game for mixed-age groups since the throwing distance can be adjusted based on players’ abilities.
Health Benefits of Ladder Toss
Core stability
Maintaining balance during throws strengthens your midsection.
Coordination
Judging distance and trajectory improves spatial awareness.
Flexibility
The underhand throwing motion promotes shoulder mobility.
Mental focus
Calculating scores and planning shots keeps the mind engaged.
Low-impact exercise
Gentle on joints while still providing physical activity.
The game’s slower pace makes it perfect for older adults or anyone recovering from injury, while still being competitive enough to keep younger players engaged.
This kid-friendly ladder toss set features extra-thick, tangle-free rubber bolos, durable pre-assembled PVC targets, and a backpack-style case.
Pickleball
We’re obsessed with pickleball, it’s our gift to readers who want the thrill of a racquet sport without the intimidation factor. Pickleball has exploded in popularity, and for good reason – it’s one of the most accessible racquet sports around. Combining elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, pickleball can be played on various surfaces and requires less running than tennis, making it perfect for backyard play.
One of the greatest advantages of pickleball is its surface versatility. While traditional courts use asphalt or concrete, you can successfully play on driveways, tennis courts, or even grass. Each surface offers a different playing experience – driveways provide excellent ball bounce and are readily available, while grass courts offer a softer, more forgiving surface that’s easier on the joints. If you’re playing on grass, consider using a rubber ball instead of the standard plastic one for better bounce, and wear shoes with good traction to navigate the uneven surface safely.
This game provides an outstanding cardiovascular workout while being easier on the joints than many other racquet sports. The smaller court size and slower-moving ball make it approachable for beginners, while the strategic elements keep experienced players challenged.
Health Benefits of Pickleball
Cardiovascular endurance
Continuous play provides excellent heart health benefits.
Agility and balance
Quick directional changes improve overall coordination.
Muscle tone
Engaging multiple muscle groups helps build overall strength.
Bone density
The weight-bearing nature of the sport supports bone health.
Social wellness
Doubles play encourages partnership and communication.
Pickleball is particularly beneficial for older adults, as it provides the excitement of racquet sports without the high-impact stress on knees and joints that tennis can cause.
With no additional tools required, you can set up your own portable pickleball court in just 3 minutes
Swingball
The reason we included Swingball is because it’s pure, concentrated fun in the smallest footprint possible – our gift to readers with limited space who refuse to compromise on entertainment. Swingball (also known as totem tennis) features a ball attached to a rope that’s connected to a central pole. Players use racquets to hit the ball in opposite directions, trying to wrap the rope completely around the pole in their favour.
This game is fantastic for developing hand-eye coordination and provides a surprisingly good upper body workout. The constant hitting motion engages your arms, shoulders, and core, while the need to move around the pole adds a cardio element.
Health Benefits of Swingball
Reaction time
Fast-paced play improves reflexes and response time.
Upper body strength
Repeated swinging builds arm and shoulder muscles.
Cardiovascular fitness
Moving around the pole elevates heart rate.
Coordination
Tracking the moving ball enhances visual tracking skills.
Stress relief
The rhythmic hitting motion can be meditative and calming.
Swingball is excellent for smaller spaces and can be played one-on-one, making it perfect for siblings or parent-child bonding time.
Classic Swingball is a family favourite, great fun for players of all ages and ideal for use in the garden or on the beach
Cornhole
Perhaps the most popular backyard game in recent years, cornhole involves tossing fabric bean bags onto a raised platform with a hole in it. Points are scored by landing bags on the platform or through the hole.
While cornhole might appear to be a leisurely activity, it actually provides several fitness benefits. The underhand tossing motion engages your core and promotes good posture, while the walking back and forth to collect bags adds gentle cardiovascular activity.
Health Benefits of Cornhole
Core strength
Proper throwing technique engages abdominal muscles.
Balance and stability
Maintaining consistent throwing form improves balance.
Mental strategy
Planning shots and calculating scores keeps the mind active.
Social interaction
Tournament-style play encourages friendly competition.
Stress reduction
The rhythmic nature of throwing can be surprisingly relaxing.
Cornhole is incredibly inclusive, players of all ages and abilities can participate, making it perfect for large family gatherings or neighborhood events.
This lightweight, foldable cornhole set pops up in seconds and features 5 scoring holes with netting, anti-skid fabric, and durable materials.
Creating Your Backyard Game Day
The key to a successful backyard game day is variety and inclusion. Set up multiple game stations so people can rotate between activities, and consider creating a simple tournament bracket to add competitive excitement. Don’t forget to provide plenty of water and shaded areas for breaks.
These games prove that fitness doesn’t have to happen in a gym, sometimes the best workouts come disguised as fun. Whether you’re looking to add more physical activity to your routine, create lasting memories with family and friends, or simply enjoy the great outdoors, backyard lawn games offer something for everyone.
So gather your friends, set up your games, and prepare for hours of laughter, friendly competition, and the kind of joy that only comes from unplugging and playing together in the sunshine.
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- From Pickleball to Cornhole: Our Top 5 Picks for the Best Summer Backyard Lawn GamesHave fun and stay fit with The Health Insider’s top 5 choices for backyard lawn games which you can play in your yard, at the cottage or any public park.
The information provided on TheHealthInsider.ca is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. TheHealthInsider.ca advises consulting a medical professional or healthcare provider when seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. To read about our editorial review process click here.
